LTTE supporter hurls wooden missile at Chidambaram

An LTTE supporter shouted slogans hailing the banned outfit and hurled a wooden object towards the stage where union Home Minister P. Chidambaram was seated during an election rally in Karaikudi town of Tamil Nadu.

The man, identified by a single name Ramu, Sunday evening caused a flutter when he rushed to the stage when Chidambaram was addressing a meeting. Ramu was immediately whisked away to a police station, according to police officials.

"While the home minister has asked to pardon and release the person, we are being extra careful now," an official said.

On Monday, Chidambaram appealed for calm in Sri Lanka and prolonging of the truce declared by President Mahinda Rajapakse scheduled to end Wednesday.

"To help arrive at a peaceful political solution and avoid deaths of innocent civilians, both the warring sides (the Sri Lankan regime and the LTTE) should cooperate," Chidambaram told supporters during election meetings in the vicinity.

The minister also sounded somewhat placatory towards one of the main LTTE apologists - PMK.

"While I do not approve the five-year-old itches of (PMK founder-leader) Dr Ramadoss who switches alliances during every general election, I also know that we may welcome his son (Anbumani Ramadoss) back into the union cabinet after the polls," Chidambaram added.